Method of manufacturing a swash plate assembly

Abstract

An improved method of manufacturing a swash plate assembly for use in a compressor, fluid motor or similar device in which a plurality of pistons are connected, by means of connecting rods, to a swash plate which drives (or is driven by) the pistons. A plurality of piston assemblies are made by casting the piston body around one end of a connecting rod section which is formed with a ball, thus providing a ball-socket connection therebetween. Other connecting rod sections are cast-in-place and captured in sockets within the wobble plate. With the connecting rod being made in two pieces, the section connected to each of the pistons and the section connected to the swash plate are positioned in a fixed relation to one another in an appropriate fixture. The two sections of each connecting rod are then secured to each other, such as by welding, brazing or crimping, to complete the assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a swash plate assembly comprising the steps of: (1) fabricating a plurality of piston subassemblies, each of which is made by (a) providing a first connecting rod section with one end thereof formed with a substantially spherical surface; and (b) die casting a piston so that a portion of the piston captures said spherical surface in a complementary socket to form a ball/socket connection; (2) providing a plurality of second connecting rod sections each having one end formed with a spherical surface; (3) die casting a swash plate such that the ends of each second connecting rod section are captured in a complementary socket to form ball/socket connections between said swash plate and said second connecting rod sections; (4) supporting said piston subassemblies and said swash plate in a holding fixture to align the respective said first and second connecting rod sections; (5) moving together and telescoping free ends of said connecting rod sections to effect the required final total length dimension from the bottom of said swash plate to the top of said piston subassemblies; and (6) joining said first and second connecting rod sections together of each of said piston subassemblies and said swash plate. 
     
     
       2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the piston subassemblies are finish machined prior to being joined to the swash plate. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said swash plate is finish machined prior to being joined to said piston subassemblies.